Brian Sanders “Plans For 2019?”

Dear Christian Radio,

What’s your plan for 2019?

Do you have one?

A plan is your guide for the next 12 months.

It puts your team on the same page.

With it, everyone knows where you’re going and what the goals are.

Some will ask, “What is this plan you speak of and how do I create one?”

All I can do is walk you through what we do at Positive Alternative Radio. 

This works for us.

Use it.

Adjust it for your purposes.

But have a plan.

Step 1:  Celebrate the prior year. 

As 2018 came to a close, each leader submitted a list of wins.

We then gathered together as a leadership team and celebrated those wins.

Yes, each leader reviewed their wins.  When they were done, the other leaders chose one or two to highlight and encouraged that leader.  It’s a powerful day.  One full of hope and excitement.

Step 2: Dream big.

I ask each leader what their dreams are for 2019?  

We then come together, and each leader presents to the leadership team what their dreams and goals are for the new year.  

Benchmarks are set for income growth, audience growth, music testing, listener engagement, marketing, major donors, digital media, social media, coaching, expansion, skill set growth and so on.  

This is a day of candor and honesty.

As leaders review their plans – the rest of us can ask questions and help everyone see steps that the rest of us may have missed.

We leave that day not just with a list of goals.

But we know who is responsible and when it Is due.

Step 3: Budget Planning.

Let me make an important point here.

Always…always…always dream before you deal with money.  

Money can be a fear factor.

At PAR we’ve learned that if the goal is big and exciting enough, it will inspire passion to raise the money to achieve said goal.   In other words, if we want it bad enough, we will find a way to achieve it. 

In budget planning, we always start with the previous year.  

What did it cost to operate last year?   Where can we take savings?  What will our new goals add to the budget?

From that, we arrive at our annual number.

Step 4: Income planning.

Yep.  Income planning is a separate step.

This is where the leaders go back to their teams and review the numbers.

They set fundraiser and underwriting goals. 

Plans are crafted on how to achieve those numbers.

Always include the team in setting income numbers.

They must have ownership of those numbers.  If they do, they’ll put their all toward achieving those goals.

Step 5: Gather the team and Share the Plan

At PAR, that’s called Vision Week and it’s happening this week.

Every team member comes to the beautiful Virginia Tech Inn and Conference Center.

We have guest speakers, surprises, swag bags and so much more.

Goals are unveiled.  Inspirational stories are shared.

Everyone leaves knowing the plans for 2019 and what needs to be tackled.

Hopefully they leave inspired and hungry to storm the gates.

That’s how we do planning at PAR.

You’re welcome to email me for more info.

I’d be happy to share planning documents we use and tell you about the effectiveness of having a Vision Week.

All of this is a lot of work.

But your team Is worth it!  They need to know their lives are worth work that matters.

Dear Christian Radio, plan and do.  Include your team. Inspire them. Get their skin in the game.

It won’t be easy.  But then again…easy never changed the world.

#ENCW –

Brian is the Executive Vice President of Positive Alternative Radio in Blacksburg.  PAR has five brands which include Spirit FM in Lynchburg, VA; WCQR in Kingsport, TN; Positive Hits, WPER in Richmond/Fredericksburg, VA; Joy FM in Winston Salem, NC; Walk FM in Ashland, KY, Huntington,WV. Contact Brian at brian@parfm.com